On the day the future king made his first visit to Coventry

This week marks 10 years since the future king first visited Coventry – and what a decade it has been. We took a look back at Prince William’s trip to War Memorial Park in July 2014.

You can read our reporter’s account of the day and see all the images below.

On that day, it was just three years since Prince William and Kate Middleton married, and the next in line to the throne, Prince George, had been born just a year before. In the decade since, George has been joined by siblings Charlotte and Louis, and Prince William became Prince of Wales on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

His bond with wife Kate, Princess of Wales, grew stronger during that time as the pair raised their children together. Kate announced earlier this year that she would be stepping back from royal duties after being diagnosed with cancer.

Were you there that day? Share your memories in the comments section.

Here’s what happened on the day of Prince William’s visit in 2014:

Union Jacks flew and chants of ‘Welcome to Coventry’ filled the air as the heir to the throne, Prince William, began his maiden visit to the city.

Coventry’s sun-kissed War Memorial Park hosted jubilant crowds today, including eager schoolchildren, families and die-hard royal enthusiasts, all gathered to greet Prince William. Many attendees were excited about the opportunity to interact with the royal guest.

Anticipation built throughout the morning and culminated in an exuberant welcome as the Duke of Cambridge made his grand entrance through the celebrated gates on Kenilworth Road.

Prince William’s visit had a special purpose: to officially recognize the park as the first in the UK to be honored as part of the Fields In Trust centenary initiative.

This initiative, run in partnership with The Royal British Legion, is designed to protect war memorial parks, playgrounds and other significant green spaces that commemorate the sacrifices of those who died in the First World War, Coventry Live reports.

Among the first to seek front-row seats for Prince William’s arrival were Rosemary Phillip, her daughter Corinna and their family friend Brenda Crunden.

Rosemary shared her excitement: “It’s a lovely day and it’s Corinne’s birthday so we thought it would be nice to come and try to see Prince William.”

Following cordial exchanges with several dignitaries, the Duke spent time chatting with schoolchildren gathered in the crowd before solemnly laying a wreath at the base of the imposing war memorial.

In addition to these formalities, William engaged in various activities including sowing poppy seeds, demonstrating his tennis skills and enthusiastically supporting a running race for Year 3 boys.

Coventry City Council leader Coun Ann Lucas expressed her delight to the Telegraph: “It’s a great day for Coventry and it’s a real honor to be the first park to be recognized by the centenary fields scheme.”

“We probably have the best memorial park in the country, so I wouldn’t expect anything else.”

In Coventry, the Duke concluded his visit by meeting key individuals who contribute significantly to the essence of War Memorial Park, culminating in the unveiling of a plaque celebrating the recognition of the fields’ centenary programme.

Elly Pittaway, chairman of the Friends of the War Memorial Park, was delighted to meet the Prince, commenting: “We spoke about the children’s play area which we got with the help of a sustainable grant and also about the project our current one, which is a green. Gym.”

“The prince was very polite and charming – and good-looking. It’s a great day for the park and to have someone like the Prince recognize that it’s just brilliant.”

At the event, Her Royal Highness stood alongside the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councilor Hazel Noonan, to unveil the commemorative plaque, where she remarked: “The First World War continues to inspire us 100 years on and one of the most obvious manifestations of of remembrance today is the war memorials up and down the country’.

“And this war memorial park in Coventry has to be one of the most extraordinary examples of that.”

The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councilor Hazel Noonan, said: “This is a special day for Coventry and the country as the first centenary field is unveiled here in our much-loved War Memorial Park.”

“I hope everyone’s visit here will give you an insight into how all of us here in Coventry will commemorate the start of the First World War.”

“Our park opened in 1927 as a tribute to those who lost their lives and remains a very special place and a green jewel in our crown and one we will protect for generations to come.”

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